WILKES-BARRE, PA (November 12, 2022) -- Senior guard Kaitlyn Lynch posted a game-high 20 points Saturday, leading the River Hawk women's basketball team to a 66-47 season-opening victory over King's College in play from McGrane Gymnasium Saturday afternoon. 

Lynch shot 7-of-10 from the floor, including making all six of her two-point shots on the day, while grabbing eight rebounds and four steals in the victory. The River Hawks shook off a slow start, but scored 21 points in the second quarter to take a 34-23 lead into the intermission. 

King's (1-2) trimmed its deficit to nine points early in the second half on a bucket by Cailin Wilson, but Susquehanna went on a 16-0 run to take a 50-25 lead at 3:16 after a free throw by Isabella Schwabe. The SU lead grew as large as 28 points early in the fourth quarter as it cruised to the win. 

The River Hawks played a lot of new faces on Saturday afternoon, while others moved into bigger roles this year after the graduation of four starters last season. Kenzie Selvaggi scored a career-high 12 points in 25 minutes Saturday, hitting five of her 11 shots from the field. Fellow sophomore Alicia Goldenziel missed just one of her shots from the field, scoring 10 points while going for 10 points and five rebounds. 

First-year Julia Pinckert tied the school record for assists in a game in her first collegiate contest, posting 11 helpers while grabbing a team-high eight rebounds and scoring seven points. Pinckert tied Bailey Trell and her 11 assists back on November 18, 2018 against Penn State-Berks. 

Grace Meehan came in off the bench to score five points as well for SU, which shot 48.1 percent (25-52) on the night. The River Hawks also won the rebounding battle 39-23, while forcing King's into 35.6 percent shooting. 

Caileigh Costello led the way for the Monarchs with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting. 

Susquehanna will open its home slate on Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., hosting Lebanon Valley College in O.W. Houts Gymnasium.